Resources

Forms and other documents available for download from our website are listed below. All downloadable documents are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Some are available in Microsoft Word format (where indicated) by e-mailing a request to: RobinBarge@vaumc.org. 

Churches (Miscellaneous Documents)

• Boomers Reinvent Senior Ministry - Martha Stokes
• Dementia & the Church Webinars - from UMC Discipleship Ministries
• Church Safety and Security
• Expectations of a Local Church visit from Bishop Lewis
• Local Church Resource Guide - products & services vetted by GCFA
• Me Too Toolkit - resources from the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women
• Record Retention Guidelines
• Trustee Registration Petition (MSWord available)
• Trustee Registration Petition for Roanoke City
• Trustee info - Choosing the Right Digital Display

Communications

• Crisis Communications - from Natural Disasters to Safety - help from VAUMC
• Church Management Software - 20 options and assessment tools
  
• Social Media Platforms - how to choose what you need
• Definitive Guide to Social Media for Churches - by Pushpay
• VAUMC Communications Survey Results - Feb 2020
• VAUMC Advocate Archives - 2011 to 2019 
• VAUMC Resource Hub - links to how-to's, logos, webinars, Advocate podcasts

Copyright

• Copyright Compliance Information
• Extending Permission to Use UM Publishing House Resources for Online Worship

Covenant Relationships

• Information on Missionaries & Covenant Relationships for individuals and local churches

Disaster Response

• Disaster Ready Congregations - Connecting Neighbors Training Powerpoint from UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
• Disaster Response - VA Conference Disaster Response Plan
• Disaster Response - Church Handbook for Natural Disasters & Extreme Weather
• Before a Disaster Happens - VAUMC brochure

District Conferences

• Valley Ridge:  District Conference 2023 Book of Reports
• Valley Ridge:  District Conference 2022 Book of Reports
• Roanoke District Conference 2021 Book of Reports
• Staunton District Conference 2021 Book of Reports

General Conference 2020 (postponed until 2024)

• Information regarding General Conference 2020 (now 2024)
• Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation
• Christmas Convenant
• General Conference Updates related to Virginia 

Lay Leadership 

• Lay Leader Handbook and other related resources
• Lay Leader Training 2021 - Martha Stokes, VAUMC Lay Leader

Lay Speaking/Lay Servant Ministries

• Lay Servant Ministries - overview
• Lay Speaker Record Form (Keep track of your Lay Speaking Courses)

Leadership Development 

• 50 Ways to Multiply Your Church's Leadership Capacity
• Coaching Leaders and Congregation to Reach Their Full Potential
• Leading Like Moses: 4 Ways to Know What to Delegate
• How to Keep Your Leadership Pipeline Full

Missions

• Advance Handbook - Global Mission UMC opportunities/projects 
• Virginia Volunteers in Mission (VAVIM) Short-Term Team Policies
• Rise Against Hunger - food packaging ministry
• Society of St. Andrew - gleaning ministry
• Pinnacle Living - formerly Virginia United Methodist Homes
• Hermitage Roanoke
• Samaritan Offering Story - Mary Opal Thomas

Parsonage

• Annual Parsonage Review  (MSWord available)
• Parsonage Inventory (MSWord available)
• Minimum Parsonage Standards

Racial Reconciliation and Justice

• Learning from Strangers - Pastor/Laity edition for Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Ministry - General Commission on Religion and Race
• Prayer Wall on Facebook - for laity and clergy to share prayers
• Actions and resources to end racism - from the United Methodist Church
• Resources - from the Virginia UMC Conference
• Ted Talks on Race and Justice

Referrals

     Virginia:

• 211 Referral Brochure
• Assisted Living Information for Families - Assisted Living Research Institute

     Northern Area: 

• Staunton Redevelopment and Housing Authority
• New Directions Center
• Valley Mission
• Valley Homeless Connection
• Valley Supportive Housing 

        Southern Area:

• 211 Resource Guide - Botetourt, Craig
• Botetourt County Quick Guide - Council of Community Services
• 2020 Giles County Christian Service Mission - NRV Community Action
  
• Montgomery County Quick Guide - Council of Community Services
• New River Valley Food Assistance Directory - Food Assistance programs
• New River Valley Resources 2021 - New River Community Action
• New River Valley 211 Resource Guide - 211 Virginia
• New River Community Action - Annual Report
• New River Valley - Books/Reading
• Roanoke City Referral Brochure - Health Dept
• Roanoke Valley Guide to Transportation - Regional Commission
• Roanoke City & County, Salem Quick Guide - Council of Com Services
• Roanoke Area 211 Resource Guide - 211 Virginia     

Safe Sanctuaries

• Training Presentation by Debbie Brown 
• VAUMC Safe Sanctuaries Webpage (includes information on background checks using Screening One for staff and volunteers)
• VAUMC Policy for the Protection of Children, Youth, and Vulnerable Adults (includes sample forms or volunteers, parents, and youth)
• Sample Safe Sanctuaries Policy for Small Membership Church
• Sample Child Protection Policy and Procedures
• Roamer Rules from UMC Discipleship Ministries
• Indicators of Adult Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation
• Adult Protective Services Data
• Safe Sanctuaries: Inclusion and Hospitality for LGBTQ Youth from UMC Discipleship Ministries
• Sample Child Safety Release Form
• Safe Sanctuaries Update- How Safe is Your Church? - May 2021

Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee (S/PPRC)

• Appointment Making Preference Form:  PDF  WORD
• Preference Letter to Pastors and S/PPRC Chairs October 2023
• Staff/Parish Relations Video for 2019 - from Bishop Lewis
• Employment Requirements during Covid - DS Email  Law details
• S/PPR Committee Training Powerpoint 2021
• Duties of the S/PPR Committee
• Characteristics of an Effective Clergy 
• Annual Evaluation of Clergy (section 5)
• Annual Evaluation Letter from DS 
• 50 Ways to Welcome a New Pastor
• 50 Ways to Support Your Pastor's Well-Being
• Clergy Housing Allowance
• Clergy Housing Allowance Review

Treasurer/Finance Committee

• Church Budgeting Resources
• 2024 Clergy Salary Letter from David Dommisse, Conference Treasurer
• How to Pay Apportionments - David Dommisse, Conference Treasurer
• Finance & Fraud Training 2-23-2021 - David Dommisse, Conference Treasurer
• Cabinet Issues Updated Policy on Clergy Salary Increases 09.26.19
• Conference Treasurer's Training for Clergy 9-2019
• Protect Against MAILED Church Contributions Theft - Tips
• Why Statistics Are Important - local church statistics
• Dollars & Sense - VAUMC News from the Business Office
• IRS - Mileage rate  UPDATED beginning January 1, 2024
• IRS - Tax Exempt Letter
• Clergy Moving - Tax info
• GuideStar - Get Your Church Listed on GuideStar
• Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) Q&A
• Local Church Audit Guidelines with 2020 update
• GCFA Crowd Funding Guidelines

United Methodist Connections

• Virginia Conference Office
• Virginia Conference Business Office
• E-Advocate - VA UMC News
• Virginia Chapter PAUMCS (Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Connectional Structure)
• ARMS - Assoc of Retired UM Ministers and Spouses - newsletters and more
• Cokesbury UMC Publishing House
• Upper Room Bookstore
• United Methodist Archives and History